Suprise Package, near side, pips Stariam© Photo Healy Racing
Runner-up in the extended 1m4f maiden at Ballinrobe last year, Peter Fahey's Suprise Package went one better in this year's renewal - by the minimum margin. Stariam who had been runner-up on her last three starts, and Suprise Package fought out a protracted battle and were locked together in the closing stages.
Ben Coen drove Suprise Package up to shade it by a nose at 10/1 from 3/1 Stariam.
Fahey said: "I was a bit worried that he hadn't got there, I was happy that he was after running a good race. It was a real tussle, but I'm delighted that he got there in the end.
"Paul (Leech, owner) came in this morning from America and I think he's actually friends with the owner of the second horse of Jessie's (Harrington), so he'll have the bragging rights after that.
"He's a very good horse who's had plenty of injuries. He got a very bad injury after winning over hurdles at Cork on the Monday after Galway last year, and the plan is that he'll go back there for the same race.
"Ben thinks he'll go on and be a nice Flat horse. He's probably a little bit behind the bridle at the moment but he'll improve away and hopefully he'll get into some of those nice handicaps at the end of the year.
"This trip, around here anyway, is as short as he wants. I think he came alive two furlongs out but sure then, you're turning the bend and you're stoking him up again. He's a better horse when you're arriving late."
Additional reporting by Mark Nunan
